Until the day robots take over the workplace, business owners will be forced to deal with employee conflicts and emotions amid the day-to-day running of their businesses. There is help available to ensure you don’t feel more like an agony aunt than somebody running a business, including from ACAS, a non-departmental public body of the UK Government. ACAS is devoted to preventing and resolving employment disputes and they are holding a free open day in Aylesbury on Wednesday 29 July for anybody wanting to learn more about what they do.

ACAS also run several events across the South East covering issues that you may want to think about when creating the best working environment possible.

If you are unable to attend any events, you should certainly do some research into the topics they cover, like actively engaging with employees, effective management styles, stamping out bullying and harassment in the workplace, and managing complaints. Happy people are productive people so it’s impossible to understate how important looking after your employees is. Here are some ways you can tackle the issue of workplace satisfaction...

Create an open and transparent hierarchy

Management teams should not be closed shops. Good ideas can come from anywhere and anyone so make it clear to all staff that if they see something that could be done in a better or more efficient way, they can bring it to the attention of the boss. Even if you don’t follow up on the suggestion, it will show you are willing to listen, though you should have the courtesy of explaining why you haven’t gone with a certain suggestion.

Show people their value to the business

It is much easier for an employee to feel happy and wanted if they understand that they are an important cog in the machine. While different roles with have different levels of importance, every role has a value otherwise it wouldn’t need exist. Although roles and responsibilities will be written into job advertisements and contracts of employment, terms used in these can often feel very impersonal, so take the time to talk to each employee at some point explaining, and showing where possible, the tangible difference they are making to the operation of the business.

Understand that everybody is different

Some like noise, others like silence. Some like hot-desking, others like to stay in one place. Some work well in teams, others work better in isolation. Some want deadlines at every stage of a process, others like to be left alone until the end game. Learn the unique characteristics of your employees and not only will this create a more effective team, your staff will appreciate you taking the time to learn their ways.

Create a home away from home

There’s a reason people decorate their homes with pictures and souvenirs: these things brighten the place up and create warm, familiar feelings. Why should the workplace be any different? Get creative, get colourful, get expressive, and let staff bring their own personal touch to the workplace.

Investors in People is a business improvement tool which aims to help organisations improve their performance through people management. Find out how this tool can benefit your business >